{"id":4495,"date":"2011-07-07T22:10:44","date_gmt":"2011-07-07T22:10:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/?p=4495"},"modified":"2022-11-14T00:33:29","modified_gmt":"2022-11-14T00:33:29","slug":"blue-ridge-in-the-san-gabriel-mountains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/blue-ridge-in-the-san-gabriel-mountains\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Ridge in the San Gabriel Mountains"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This is a great summertime trip because it\u00a0takes you into the cooler regions of the <\/strong>San Gabriel Mountains<\/strong> of the <\/strong>Los Angeles\u00a0<\/strong>area.<\/strong>\u00a0 This entire trip can be done in a single day and is broken into two sections.\u00a0 The first section explores a dirt road that runs along Blue Ridge above Mountain High and Wrightwood.\u00a0 The second section is a hike to a\u00a0gold mine called the Big Horn Mine that was\u00a0built in 1905 and located on the slopes of Mt. Baden-Powell.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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If you live in the Los Angeles area, more specifically the Inland Empire or the High Desert region, then you are probably looking for ways to escape the heat.\u00a0 And this trip is perfect for doing just that because much of the trip will be at altitudes above 6,000 feet.<\/p>

Getting There<\/h3>

Our trip begins in the mountain community of Wrightwood.\u00a0 You get to Wrightwood by taking I-15 to Highway138 west and\u00a0then taking Highway 2 west.<\/p>

Once you are in Wrightwood, there are several things to do.\u00a0 A two block-long downtown area on Park Drive is full of shops and cafes and is located just off Hwy\u00a02. \u00a0Park Drive is located just past Jenson’s Market (the market is on the right and Park Drive is on the left).<\/p>

More shops and eateries are located on a few side streets off of the main street. \u00a0The Wrightwood museum is located on Cedar Street, just one block east of Park Drive and two blocks south of Hwy 2. \u00a0Before embarking on our trip, you can stop in at Jenson’s Market which offers a deli and unique\u00a0snacks that\u00a0you may wish to bring with you.<\/p>

Big Pines<\/h3>

Continue on Hwy 2.\u00a0 The county line is soon crossed and you will next see the first ski area on the left.\u00a0 This is Mountain High East.\u00a0 This resort was originally known as Holiday Hill.\u00a0 A short distance later, the Big Pines recreation area is reached and you will pass through what remains of the Davidson Arch. What remains looks like a small castle.\u00a0 The arch used to span Hwy 2 [see picture<\/a>] with a castle-like structure on both sides. The arch was removed to widen Hwy 2.\u00a0 Located here is a visitor\u2019s center. \u00a0The hours it is open changes often. \u00a0There are restrooms available which seem to be open all the time. \u00a0This spot incidentally is the highest point along the entire length of the San Andreas Fault (see our separate tour on the San Andreas Fault<\/a> through this area).<\/p>

Big Pines was originally developed by the Los Angeles County park system in 1922. \u00a0By 1925, it became the biggest attraction in the San Gabriels and crowds became a problem. \u00a0You wouldn\u2019t believe it, but Big Pines was going to be the site of the 1932 Olympic Winter Games. \u00a0However, not enough snow fell that year and it was moved to Lake Placid, New York. \u00a0Big Pines was taken back over by the Forestry Service in 1940.<\/p>

Just after passing by the arch site, a five-point intersection is encountered. \u00a0Taking the first right goes to the former resort of Ski Sunrise, now known as Mountain High North, and also JPL\u2019s Table Top Mountain observatory. \u00a0The second right is the east end of Big Pines Highway. \u00a0Taking the first left leads into the former resort of the Blue Ridge ski area, now known as Mountain High West. \u00a0The second left is the continuation of Hwy 2 which ends up in La Canada and the 210 Freeway in 55 miles. Our trip continues following Hwy 2 (the second left), but you may wish to explore the road to Table Mountain as it offers great views of all the ski areas and the high desert to the north.<\/p>

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Blue Ridge<\/span><\/h3>

Reset your odometer at\u00a0the five-point intersection. \u00a0Inspiration Point (also known as Lightning Ridge) is reached in 1.8 miles. \u00a0This is one of the largest viewpoints along the entire length of Angeles Crest Highway. \u00a0Turnouts on both sides of the highway allow you to park your vehicle and enjoy the vistas. \u00a0When we visited here in July, we were able to see Catalina Island \u2013 some 80 miles distant. \u00a0The large canyon just to the south of the viewpoint is the east fork of the San Gabriel River. \u00a0A significant gold rush occurred here starting in 1870 and dragged on until 1940. \u00a0An information sign here points out all the places of interest. \u00a0The large peak to your right is Mt. Baden-Powell, named after the founder of the Boy Scouts, and is the second highest peak in the San Gabriels. \u00a0The highest \u201cbald\u201d peak to the left is Mt. Baldy, the highest peak in the San Gabriels.<\/p>

Just before reaching the turnouts, look for the turnoff to East Blue Ridge Road (F.R. 3N06) on the left. \u00a0This is our first side trip off of Hwy 2. \u00a0This narrow forestry road ventures about 12 miles into the rugged San Gabriel Mountains. \u00a0The first 3 miles is a mixture of broken and good asphalt, whereas the remaining distance is dirt. As its name implies, the road follows what is known as Blue Ridge. \u00a0Along the way, there are great views in all directions. \u00a0The road also passes through two of the Mountain High ski resorts as it passes underneath chairlifts. \u00a0You can actually drive on the same spots where snow-skiers dash downhill during the winter months. \u00a0The road will continue all the way to the bottom of the San Gabriel River Canyon, but the forestry service doesn\u2019t always have this last portion open.<\/p>

Blue Ridge Campground is the first campground encountered at three miles in from Hwy 2. \u00a0It is located in a heavily forested area next to the top of the Mountain High East ski area. \u00a0There are usually more people camping here.<\/p>

Guffy Campground, about six miles in, is a great spot to have a picnic. \u00a0This campground typically has fewer inhabitants than the first. \u00a0A half mile past Guffy, a fork in the road is reached. \u00a0Going left (F.R. 3N06) will continue the drive along Blue Ridge. \u00a0Going right (F.R. 3N39) will descend into the San Gabriel River Canyon and to a place labeled Cabin Flat on the map. 3N39 is often closed with a locked gate a short distance from the fork. \u00a0If you continue on 3N06, the infamous Wrightwood slides are encountered 1.5 miles from Guffy. \u00a0These large scars on the north side of Blue Ridge were created by a series of large landslides. \u00a0The last one occurred in 1969. A significant slide occurred in 1941. \u00a0These slides, which are still active, were triggered by both heavy rainfall events and movement along the San Andreas Fault. Similar to the warning we always hear about earthquakes, it is only a matter of time when Wrightwood experiences another devastating landslide. \u00a0 The slides are visible from Wrightwood. \u00a03N06 ends about a mile past the landslide. \u00a0There is a trailhead for a strenuous hike to Mt. Baldy along the way.<\/p>

More…<\/p>

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Pictures<\/h3>

Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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